Italy's Eni and Algerian state-owned oil company Sonatrach have started construction of a 10 MW solar power plant at the Bir Rebaa North (BRN) oil production complex in Algeria, to help power hydrocarbon production with clean energy; the duo have also opened what they term a Solar Lab to test solar panels under onsite conditions.
The Italian petrochemicals company said the 10 MW project will join the previous 10 MW PV project commissioned on site in 2018, doubling renewable energy capacity to power upstream processes.
Yet another solar power plant is in the pipeline for the Menzel Ledjmet East Project (MLE), also in the Berkine Basin where the BRN is located. The latter is scheduled to enter construction in 2023.
Eni said these efforts are part of its global net zero strategy as it aims to become carbon neutral by 2050.
Both Eni and Sonatrach also announced the launch of the Solar Lab in Southern Algeria where they plan to test various solar PV panels in extreme irradiation conditions with an aim to identify most efficient technologies.
"The Solar Lab will be open to universities and other public institutions for research purposes: it has therefore a strategic value in promoting the development of renewable energy sources in Algeria, showing the commitment of the country toward the energy transition," stated Eni.
A year back, in November 2021 Algerian Ministry of Energy Transition and Renewable Energies said it will tender 1 GW solar power capacity under a project dubbed Solar 1000 to help the country diversify its energy sources (see Algeria Preps For 1 GW Solar Tender).
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